FO urges Pakistani nationals living in the Gulf region to remain vigilant and follow official guidance
Smoke rises from an explosion after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. Photo: Reuters
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOF) on Sunday issued an official notification to Pakistani nationals in the Middle East and Persian Gulf and activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) amid escalating regional tensions after the United States (US) and Israel launched an attack on Iran that resulted in the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A day earlier, a Pakistani national in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was killed intercepting an Iranian missile following joint US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic that led to retaliatory strikes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOF) condemned the unfortunate death, while the UAE extended its sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the Pakistani national’s family and relatives, expressing full solidarity with them and stressing that targeting civilians and civilian objects is condemned under all legal and humanitarian standards.
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Official advice on the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf pic.twitter.com/aalIe8WhXDv
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) 1 March 2026
In today’s statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it had activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to monitor developments and provide assistance to citizens abroad.
“In light of the evolving regional situation, MOFA has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to closely monitor developments and extend all necessary assistance. The CMU is operational 24/7 and for information or emergency assistance, please contact CMU: +92-51-9207887,” the statement said.
The government urged Pakistani nationals living in the Gulf region to remain vigilant and follow official guidance issued by host authorities.
“All Pakistani nationals residing in the Gulf region are strongly advised to exercise utmost caution, remain indoors where possible, avoid unnecessary travel and strictly adhere to the instructions and advisories issued by the respective host governments.”
The FO added that emergency contact details of Pakistani embassies and consulates in the region had been made available to facilitate citizens in need of assistance.
A day earlier, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that pushed the Middle East into renewed military confrontation and further dampened hopes for a diplomatic solution to the West’s long-standing efforts to denuclearize Iran, despite Tehran’s repeated claims that it will not pursue nuclear weapons.
In response, Iran attacked Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
Read more: More attacks targeting Iran after US, Israeli strikes kill Supreme Leader Khamenei
Later, Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in strikes by Israel and the United States, and announced 40 days of public mourning in the Islamic Republic.
Hours after the United States and Israel said an air strike killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as part of the most ambitious series of attacks on Iran in decades, Iranian state media confirmed the 86-year-old leader’s death on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said the airstrikes launched on Saturday on Iranian targets were aimed at ending a decades-long threat from Iran and ensuring it could not develop a nuclear weapon, as he sought to justify a risky gamble that appeared to go against his stated opposition to US involvement in complex overseas conflicts.
